In your womb has happened the second greatest miracle in the universe, the formation and birthing of a baby, second only to the miracle of spiritual birth into the Kingdom of God.

We salute you! … right, men?

These were Jesus’ words as He preached in the towns of Galilee, establishing the characteristics of His Kingdom.

Many years ago, I received a vision of this Christ, standing before all with hands opened, beckoning for us to come to Him.  I can always see it in my mind’s eye.  It’s a vision of a compassionate shepherd, ready to receive us when we’re burdened, infirmed, discouraged, weak.

He’s always there.

DAILY PRAYER:  Thank You, Lord, for Your gentle, humble nature.  Make us like You.  We want to show Your love to this world.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 11-14

These were the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matt. 10 when He was sending them out to proclaim the message of His Kingdom and do His works.  They were to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,  and drive out demons.”  These were His instructions. 

As freely as they accepted the salvation He offered, so freely did they receive the power to perform these miraculous deeds He commanded them to do.

In His name, His power and His authority, you and I can go and do likewise, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, by faith we will launch out today and begin performing the works You commanded Your disciples to do.  Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 8-10

(CORRECTION: Rahab was Boaz’ grandmother rather than mother.  I apologize.)

Matthew chapters 5-7 contain the greatest concentration of Jesus’ teachings in the Bible. Practical spirituality to be lived out is made clear by this sermon.  He ends it by saying if a person builds his life on these teachings, he is wisely building a lifestyle that will weather any storm.

That’s exactly what my father, David Demos, did about 70 years ago.  Having lost his own father when he was ten, David looked to this passage to give him the life guidance he didn’t have from an earthly father.  It worked.  My Dad has been a spiritual rock for our entire family, and many others searching for the meaning of life.  He’s still living, and is the godliest man I know.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for the words of life that You speak to us if we’ll listen.  Bring these words to our remembrance throughout the day so we can be faithful to Your Kingdom.

DAILY READING:  Matthew 5-7

When reading the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, we are intrigued to see the name of Rahab, the harlot.  Translations even use the word prostitute to describe her.  How can a woman with such questionable morals be considered to be included in the lineage of the faultless Son of God?

Consider also the integrity of her son, Boaz.  She must have been a good mother.  Who was his father?

As the Lord instructed Peter, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  [Acts 10:15]  We are informed in Hebrews 11 that it was Rahab’s faith and obedience that qualified her for all the good the Kingdom of God has to offer, even being included in the bloodline of our Savior. The just live by faith.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, cleanse us of our judgmental spirits.  We live in amazement of Your cleansing power that not only touched Rahab, but makes us acceptable in Your sight.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 1-4

The last verse of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:6, ends with the threat of destruction or a curse. The last verse in the New Testament, Revelation 22:21, speaks the Lord’s blessing of grace upon the hearer.  This contrast characterizes the different flavor of messages in the two major portions of the Bible.

The Old Testament is the New concealed.  The New Testament is the Old revealed.  God is capable of both curses and blessings.  The job of the prophets of the Old Testament was to identify the need for salvation and the depravity of man.  Christ came to offer hope and The Solution to man’s sin problem.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You are our hope and salvation.  To Whom do we turn for every need of our lives?  You!  

DAILY READING:  Malachi 1-4

Jealousy fears displacement.  Un-returned love stirs jealousy.  The Lord desires that we be devoted to Him the way He is to us.

The prophet Zechariah identified occasions that stirred the Lord’s jealousy over His people such as when they fasted ceremonially, their hearts and minds were not on Him. When they feasted, they were thinking only of themselves.

God’s love to us through Christ deserves our whole-hearted devotion.  Let His true praise be continually on our lips.  Let His Word be continually in our mind.  This is the devoted love He desires and deserves.  This is the most rewarding lifestyle we can live.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, there is none like You. Gratefully, we give our lives to You today to serve Your purposes. We love You above all else.

DAILY READING:  Zechariah 7-14

” … And I will return to you.”  So were the opening words of Zechariah, the great Messianic prophet.

This is not a complex solution to problems.  It’s very simple, and yet we seem to make it so difficult.

God provides this simple solution to every challenge of life, to every decision that tries to confuse us, to every illness that tries to decay us, and to every sin that tries to destroy us.

The Lord is as close as the mention of HIs name in prayer, as close as the opening of His Word to read.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, we come to You.  We cry out for Your intervention in our lives to heal us, to restore us, to correct us, and to direct us.

DAILY READING: Haggai;  Zechariah 1-6

Zephaniah also gave a bristling account of judgment to come on those who defied God’s ways by hypocrisy or outright riotous living.  The day of the Lord’s anger being poured out was described by unthinkable devastation.  It’s good to fear the Lord.

Yet, for those who “Seek the Lord, who are humble, and follow His commands,” some of the most glowing descriptions of God’s joy in His people are given.  Such contrast.  Through Christ Jesus, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, though You are capable of great judgment and destruction, You are more-so capable of great love and redemption.  We hope in Your mercy through Jesus.

DAILY READING:  Zephaniah 1-3

Troubled by the injustice he saw, this prophet poured out his complaint to the Lord.  God responded by saying the wicked will eventually be judged and righteousness will prevail.

In God, judgement may not come when we think it should, but it always comes.  God may be slow, but He’s never late.

What are you waiting/asking for?  Your response from God is already in the pipeline!

Habakkuk’s famous words were, “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there be no grapes on the vine … (he lists many challenges of life) … [but] yet will I rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.  God, the Lord, is my strength.”  [Hab. 3]

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, forgive us for being so impatient with Your answers.  You see all as it truly is, and we trust Your timing.

DAILY READING:  Habakkuk 1-3